Houston Trip

Derek left from the beach for a mission trip to Morelia, Mexico.  I'll let him write a blog post about that later.  Luke and I followed my sister and her family from the beach to Houston.  We spent the week in Houston while Derek was in Mexico.  My sister had to go back to work so Luke and I spent most of the week with my mom, Jackson and Julia.  Luke loves his cousin. 

Loaded up and headed to Houston

Breakfast at my Mom's house

My sweet Aunt Linda and cousin Robin gave us a baby shower for the new little guy.  Everything was just perfect. 

Robin, Me, Aunt Linda

Mom, Me and Angie

The delicious food.

It was so wonderful spending two weeks with my sister (and best friend) and a week with my Mom.

Grayton Beach

We started our summer off with a week long beach vacation. It was so fun! Beautiful weather, good time with family and a little boy who LOVED the water. We went with my Dad, step mom, step sister and family and my sister and family. Luke has always loved having big kids around and this was no different. I was really surprised by how independent he was in the swimming pool. He didn't want to be held and enjoyed jumping in to his daddy from the side. He also enjoyed playing in the sand and ocean.

The kids bunk room was a dream for our little monkey

Luke enjoying the view on the balcony off our bedroom

cousin Jackson teaching him X-Box

Our bathroom had this tub and Luke loved it.

My sister and family in front of the beautiful beach house where we stayed

My beautiful sister!

Dad and Derek flying kites with the little ones

Derek caught the biggest fish!

The boys went fishing for dinner. 

loving the ocean

the pitter patter of feet all through the house

The crew minus Derek...he had already left for Mexico

19 Months

Note: I am playing catch-up on the blog and realized I failed to write a 19 month post.  June was so busy for us and I hardly remember him a month ago (sad, I know).  Therefore, this will just be a picture post.

flip flops, purse and keys ready to go "bye-bye"

peek-a-boo

buck wild in the shower

cutie pie!

uh-oh!

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BL

BL is a term we often use to refer to our time before Luke. Here are a few things we did not see at our house before we welcomed him into our little family.  I happen to love these cute little surprises we find around the house.
 

Legos in the dryer

Coaster and toy in fridge

crayons in the shower

Sweet Tooth

This kid has a serious sweet tooth.  He has started sticking his tongue out at us when we eat something sweet.  I guess it's his way of telling us he wants a bite.  It's funny that he only does it when it's something good to eat...like a cupcake. 



Sweet Friends



Mother's Day

I know every second time mom wonders how they could possibly love another child as much as they love their first.  I'd be lying if I said this thought hasn't crossed my mind.  However, I am confident that when I hold my second baby boy I will experience the same love that I have for Luke.  My mother-in-law said it best when she said the love multiplies not divides.  I'm going to trust in all of the moms who have gone before me on this one but until then I am basking in the love that comes from being this little man's momma!  The only greater role assigned to me by our loving Father is being wife to his sweet daddy.  Luke Michael Irons, your momma loves you to the moon and back.

It's ANOTHER boy!

We found out last week that "the sequel" (how Derek refers to our unborn child) is another boy!  The best news we received is that he is growing and developing perfectly.  What a relief to see the little squirt moving all around and to know at this point everything checks out.  I tried to scan in our ultrasound pictures but after two failed attempts I figured I would come back to that another day.  He was very clearly a little boy and he was sucking his little thumb.  My mom reminded me that I was born sucking my thumb so it looks like he might take after me in that.  He measured exactly a week ahead of my due date just like his big brother.  Hopefully he will decide to be born on that day as well which would be September 27th.  His head wasn't quite as big as Luke's was at this point but he weighs a meaty 14 ounces (avg is 11 ounces).  I love him so much already!

We have narrowed the names down to three so hopefully we will have one picked out soon.  We are just thrilled to be having another little boy.  I'm especially excited that he and Luke will only be 23 months apart and hopefully the best of friends.

18 Months

Luke turned 18 months old on Easter Sunday.  He is full of life and has so much energy.  I spend most of my days trying to keep up with the little rascal and wouldn't trade it for anything.  He has started talking a little bit more.  The words we hear most often are daddy, bye, ball, uh-oh, eat, please, more, milk, and shoe.  Notice "momma" is not on that list.  He knows who momma is but he has only said it a handful of times.  He enjoys playing with play dough, watching Handy Manny, playing in his water table outside and puzzles.  He is currently obsessed with saying "bye" as he opens and closes doors.  One of his favorite games is to climb in and out of his daddy's shirt while Derek lies on the floor.  He has learned to eat with a fork and he loves to be a big boy and do it himself.  He has started taking showers and he loves to play with all the bottles and cups in the shower.  He has learned what the red button on my key less entry does and will set off my car alarm and go flying through the house with the keys.  He is very strong willed or maybe this is just normal for an 18 month old but he has really started to assert his will.  Although strong willed, he is the sweetest most loving little boy and has a smile that will melt even a strangers heart.